Indian Drainage System: Rivers & Patterns

• India possesses a diverse drainage system comprising numerous rivers and water bodies
• These are categorized based on factors like size, water volume, and watershed characteristics

River Classification

• Indian rivers are mainly classified into two categories: Himalayan Rivers and Peninsular Rivers.
• Himalayan Rivers originate from the Himalayas and are fed by melting snow and rainfall, making them perennial.
• Examples include the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra.
• Peninsular Rivers originate in the Peninsular plateau and are primarily rain-fed, resulting in seasonal flow.
• Examples include the Narmada, Tapi, Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri.

Drainage Patterns

• Drainage patterns refer to the arrangement of rivers and their tributaries in a particular area.
• Common drainage patterns found in India include:
• Dendritic: resembles the branching pattern of a tree, common in regions with uniform rock structure.
• Trellis: develops where hard and soft rocks exist parallel to each other, rivers join at right angles.
• Rectangular: found in areas with faulted or jointed rocks, rivers follow the lines of weakness.
• Radial: rivers originate from a central point and flow in different directions, typical of mountains.

The Indus River System

• The Indus River originates near the Mansarovar Lake in Tibet.
• It flows through Jammu and Kashmir, and then into Pakistan.
• Major tributaries include the Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej.
• The Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan governs the sharing of the Indus waters.

The Ganga River System

• The Ganga is the most important river in India.
• It originates from the Gangotri glacier.
• Major tributaries include the Yamuna, Son, Gomti, Ghaghara, and Kosi.
• The Ganga basin is the most densely populated river basin in the world.
• The Ganga merges with the Brahmaputra in Bangladesh and forms the world’s largest delta - the Sunderbans.

The Brahmaputra River System

• The Brahmaputra originates in Tibet, where it is known as the Tsangpo.
• It enters India through Arunachal Pradesh.
• Major tributaries include the Lohit, Dibang, and Teesta.
• The Brahmaputra is known for its extensive flooding and channel shifting

The Narmada River

• The Narmada is the largest west flowing river in peninsular India.
• It rises in the Maikala range near Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh.
• It flows through a rift valley between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges.
• The Sardar Sarovar Dam is built on this river

The Tapi River

• The Tapi is another significant west-flowing river.
• It originates in the Betul district of Madhya Pradesh.
• It also flows through a rift valley, parallel to the Narmada.

The Godavari River

• The Godavari is the largest Peninsular river, often referred to as the 'Dakshin Ganga.'
• It rises in the Nashik district of Maharashtra.
• Major tributaries include the Manjra, Wainganga, and Penganga.
• The river drains into the Bay of Bengal

The Krishna River

• The Krishna River originates near Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra.
• Major tributaries include the Bhima, Tungabhadra, and Koyna.
• It flows through Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh before draining into the Bay of Bengal.

The Kaveri River

• The Kaveri River rises in the Brahmagiri hills of the Western Ghats in Karnataka.
• It is an important river for irrigation and hydroelectric power in South India.
• Major tributaries include the Hemavati, Shimsha, and Arkavati.
• The river drains into the Bay of Bengal

Significance of Rivers

• Rivers are crucial for irrigation, providing water for agriculture.
• They are vital for transportation, facilitating trade and movement.
• Rivers are a source of hydroelectric power generation.
• They support diverse ecosystems and provide habitats for various species.
• Rivers are important for domestic and industrial water supply.

River Pollution

• River pollution is a major environmental concern in India.
• Causes of river pollution include:
• Discharge of untreated sewage and industrial effluents.
• Agricultural runoff containing fertilizers and pesticides.
• Religious practices and disposal of solid waste.
• Effects of river pollution include:
• Waterborne diseases.
• Loss of aquatic life.
• Contamination of drinking water sources.

River Conservation

• Several initiatives have been launched to conserve and rejuvenate rivers in India.
• The National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) aims to reduce pollution in major rivers.
• The Ganga Action Plan was launched to clean the Ganga River.
• Community participation and awareness are crucial for the success of river conservation efforts.